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Are SEPs a replacement for the scientific method or do we still want to spend time focusing on the steps of the scientific method?

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Are SEPs a replacement for the scientific method or do we still want to spend time focusing on the steps of the scientific method?

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The SEPs appropriately sequenced are the real scientific method.

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https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NniG94Y9Yq1Q8WKTSN0-KV74NTS6lnJe/view?usp=sharing

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Appendix I - Engineering Design in NGSS - FINAL_V2_1.pdf

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https://phet.colorado.edu/

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Over 1.1 billion simulations delivered

160interactive simulations

97language translations

3001teacher-submitted lessons

Founded in 2002 by Nobel Laureate Carl Wieman, the PhET Interactive Simulations project at the University of Colorado Boulder creates free interactive math and science simulations. PhET sims are based on extensive education research and engage students through an intuitive, game-like environment where students learn through exploration and discovery.

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Founded in 2002 by Nobel Laureate Carl Wieman, the PhET Interactive Simulations project at the University of Colorado Boulder creates free interactive math and science simulations. PhET sims are based on extensive education research and engage students through an intuitive, game-like environment where students learn through exploration and discovery.

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These are NGSS resources and units for MS only

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These are NGSS resources and units for MS only

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https://www.openscied.org/

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Home - OpenSciEd

Home - OpenSciEd

Our curriculum fosters deep, engaging science learning and is the only curriculum designed for the NGSS that has had every unit rated as quality -and it's freely available to anyone.

MAKING HIGH QUALITY SCIENCE EDUCATION AVAILABLE TO ALL STUDENTS

TEACHERS TESTED & APPROVED

GROWING NETWORK OF TEACHERS

What Educators Say

"My students have begun to realize they have the power and knowledge to plan and investigate how the world works around them."

-Kym Whitney, 7th Grade Teacher

"My students are more excited about science than ever, and they're connecting what they're learning to their lives and experiences."

-Megan Euler, 7th Grade Teacher

"OpenSciEd lessons are a lifesaver. They are standards-based, easy to implement, and, best of all, my kids LOVE them!"

-Taylor Halliday, Gifted Intervention Specialist

Adopt the Curriculum.

To make the shifts in science education that today's science standards demand, we've created high quality instructional materials paired with transformative professional learning. Tied to our mission of providing high quality science learning for all students, we also have partnered with a variety of organizations that can offer additional materials and support to ensure the long-term success of your implementation. Learn more about the different paths for adopting our instructional materials.

Learn More

Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

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Here is another website with good NGSS resources for lessons:

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Here is another website with good NGSS resources for lessons:

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https://thewonderofscience.com/

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The Wonder of Science was created to support the next generation of science teachers. All of the resources are licensed under Creative Commons licensing.

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Do you know where I can find good NGSS lessons?

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Do you know where I can find good NGSS lessons?

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This is one of my favorite website: NextGen Storylines https://www.nextgenstorylines.org/

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Check out the guidance for the steps to designing a coherent NGSS aligned storyline. Explore unpacking, identifying phenomena, and sequencing investigations to help students build science ideas, step by step.

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We will learn more about NGSS assessments in workshop #4. But here is the link to the CA Statewide NGSS Assessment: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/caasppscience.asp

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Program Overview

The statewide California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) System includes federally required science assessments in grades five and eight and once in high school (i.e., grade ten, eleven, or twelve). Since the adoption of the Next Generation Science Standards for California Public Schools, Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve (CA NGSS) in 2013, the California Department of Education developed the California Science Test (CAST), which is aligned with these standards.

High school students will have only one opportunity to take a science test (i.e., in grade ten, eleven, or twelve). Local educational agencies (LEAs) can elect to administer a science test to students in grade ten or eleven. Students in grade twelve, who have not yet taken a science test, will automatically be registered to test. Students repeating grade twelve are not eligible to test.

The following links provide additional information about the program.

Resources and Communication Materials
Resources for Communication with Parents/Guardians Talking to Parents About the CAASPP (PPTX; 5MB) CAST Informational Video CAST Assessment Fact Sheet flyer (PDF) Introducing CAST Item Specifications flyer (PDF) 2020-21 California Student Assessment Accessibility Graphic for Science (PDF) CAST Practice and Training Tests flyer (PDF)
Partner Organizations

Test Administration

CAST-How to Start a Training Test

CAST-How to Start a Practice Test

CAST-How to Start a Test Session (This resource is intended for California educators and requires district log-in credentials.)

Periodic table of elements

Reference sheets that include formulas and constants

Science Test Administration for High School Students (PDF) Student Accessibility Resources web page
Scores and Results Reporting

Test Results for California's Assessments Website -For directions on how to view results, go to the Quick Reference Guides.

The CAST Reporting Achievement Level Descriptors (ALDs) (PDF) document provides descriptions of the four levels possible for a student's overall performance on the CAST and the three levels possible for a student's performance by science domain.

CAST Scale Score Ranges provides the scale score ranges by grade and achievement level.

CAST 2017-18 administration research files contain the results from the 2017-18 field test. CAST aggregated results are reported by the state, county, LEA, and school levels as well as by student groups. These research files are intended for use by educators or researchers to perform analyses and prepare customized reports. Caution should be used when interpreting the preliminary indicator results, given that these results are from an assessment that was not operational.

Laws, Regulations, and Requirements
California Education Code Section 60640 Assessment Apportionment Reimbursements to LEAs
Technical Documents

CAST Blueprint (PDF) was used to build the 2018-19 through 2020-21 administrations of the CAST.

Revised CAST Blueprint (PDF; 2MB) will be implemented with the 2021-22 administration of the CAST.
CAST Item Specifications CAST Range Achievement Level Descriptors (ALDs) 2016 Science Framework Accessibility Supports for Operational Testing (PDF) CAASPP Technical Reports and Studies
CAST Interim Assessments

The CAST Interim Assessments (IA) in grades three, four, and five will each assess all three science domains. Middle school and high school will each have three interim assessments that assess a single science domain. Each CAST IA will consist of two segments: one discrete segment and one performance task (PT) segment. The PT consists of four to six items, including one constructed response item worth 2 points that must be hand-scored.

The CAST IAs will be available for preview in mid-September 2023, with full access to administer in mid-October 2023.

Questions: California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress | caaspp@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-8765

Last Reviewed: Tuesday, November 21, 2023

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California Science Test - California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) System (CA Dept of Education)

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California’s statewide science assessment for students in grades five and eight and once in high school.

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https://www.cde.ca.gov/pd/ca/sc/ngssstandards.asp

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NGSS Standards

On September 4, 2013, the SBE adopted the Next Generation Science Standards for California Public Schools, Kindergarten through Grade Twelve (CA NGSS) as required by California Education Code 60605.85. The NGSS Appendices A-M were also adopted to assist teachers in the implementation of the new science standards and to aid in the development of the new science curriculum framework.

The SBE-adopted California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS) can be viewed below by grade level Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCI): Life Sciences, Earth and Space Sciences, and Physical Sciences or by grade level Topic (e.g., Chemical Reactions, Structure and Function, or Space Systems).

For information on how to read the standards and implement the standards, please read How to Read CA NGSS (PDF) or consult the 2016 Science Framework or visit the Adopting and Implementing NGSS page. For questions about the CA NGSS and 2016 Science Framework, contact the Curriculum Frameworks and Instructional Resources Division (CFIRD) at cfird@cde.ca.gov or 916-319-0881.

Kindergarten through Grade Five Standards

Standards Arranged by Disciplinary Core Ideas (Life, Earth and Space, and Physical Science)

Grades Six through Eight Standards

On November 6, 2013, the SBE approved the Science Expert Panel's (SEP) recommended Integrated Learning Progression model as the preferred model for middle grades six through eight. At the same November meeting, the SBE approved a recommendation by the SSPI to reconvene the SEP in order "to develop ... as an alternative model ... a discipline specific model" for the grade span of six through eight based on Achieve's domains model in Appendix K.

In December 2013, the SEP reconvened to develop an alternative domain specific course model.

The documents below provide middle school educators the rationale for the CA NGSS Integrated Learning Progression Course for middle grades six through eight and the Alternative Discipline Specific Course for grades six through eight. The documents also describe learning progressions for each grade level.

Integrated Learning Progression Model (PDF)
This document provides middle school educators the rationale for the Integrated Learning Progression Course arrangement of standards developed by the California Science Expert Panel. Documents containing the standards for each grade level are below.

Discipline Specific Model (PDF)
This document provides middle school educators the rationale for the Discipline Specific Course arrangement. Documents containing the standards for each grade level are below.

Integrated Model Standards Arranged by Disciplinary Core Ideas

Discipline Specific Model Standards

Grades Nine through Twelve Standards

Standards Arranged by Disciplinary Core Ideas (Life, Earth and Space, and Physical Science)

NGSS Appendices A-M

The NGSS Appendices A-M were adopted to assist teachers in the implementation of NGSS and in the development of the new science curriculum framework.

Questions: Curriculum Frameworks and Instructional Resources Division | cfird@cde.ca.gov | 916-319-0881

Last Reviewed: Tuesday, September 26, 2023

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NGSS for California Public Schools, K-12

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In 2013, the State Board of Education (SBE) adopted the Next Generation Science Standards for California Public Schools, Kindergarten through Grade Twelve.